GreaseCar Converts, HELP! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

imagesinthewind · #1 02-19-2008, 04:33 PM

So I have this very new to me (got yesterday) greasecar converted 81 300SD that had a fuel problem when I looked at it at first. Owner took the car to my mech and now somehow the diesel return line is returning to the veggie oil tank.
We found this out this morning when the car sat at idle to warm up and we had a faucet out the bottom of the trunk where the diesel/oil blend was squirting out of the air pressure hole on the top of the veggie oil tank.

Called the mech and he said they did do something with the diesel return but they don't know anything about the system so we need to look at the install manual that comes with the greasecar kit. Which we have.

The question is what am I looking for when following the lines around under the hood? Pics would be great as this is my first foray into the greasecar adventure.

Thanks bunches (and no laughing!)

DeliveryValve · #2 02-19-2008, 04:43 PM

Make sure the three way switch is not on the "purge" setting (the bigger red light of the two) . If you leave it in the purge setting the fuel will just spill out of the tank. If you are not in the purge setting then the wiring is wrong and it will need to be rewired.

Diesel Dan · #3 02-19-2008, 04:49 PM

I would call Greasecar and get them to send you the installation guide, which includes a schematic of the plumbing and wiring. You could also go to the discussion forum on the Greasecar.com website to see if anyone has an electronic copy they could send you. It's an easy problem to fix, you just have to figure out what's what.

TchTchr · #4 02-19-2008, 04:49 PM

Ditto above. Also, make sure hoses are correct at the two solenoids in the engine bay. Consult greasecar manual for this. Make sure too that all electrical connections are ok. I first used the supplied splicers, but I had problems with them, and; therefore, soldered my connections. Don't assume ANYTHING with any aftermarket anything. Always check things thoroughly and often.

pawoSD · #5 02-19-2008, 04:52 PM

Off topic but....

You sure haven't wasted any time accumulating MB's! I am jealous!

I agree, you do need a 1980! Its like a coin collection, you need all the consecutive years!

cavaliers16 · #6 02-19-2008, 05:01 PM

I have the diagram. I'll PM you the link to the thread.

imagesinthewind · #7 02-19-2008, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Off topic but....

You sure haven't wasted any time accumulating MB's! I am jealous!

I agree, you do need a 1980! Its like a coin collection, you need all the consecutive years!

Yep, but where to park them all. . .
I live on a cul de sac and there are 4 MBs in the drive and a GMC Yukon parked in the driveway beside us (vacant house).

I can't believe all the car some post (Rick) they own. Where do ya keep 'em all!

pawoSD · #8 02-19-2008, 05:18 PM

Well....we have 5 cars at my house currently....2 in front on the street, one in the driveway, one in the garage, and one in the grass next to the garage. (mine)

Except right now its not grass....its a mud pit covered by 7" of hard packed snow and ice.

I am going to hitch up the trailer in the spring and load it up with paver stones to pave my parking spot. No more parking in the mud.

Now....if we got another car then we'd really have issues....we'd have to resort to putting one in the garage at all times.

imagesinthewind · #9 02-19-2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeliveryValve

Make sure the three way switch is not on the "purge" setting (the bigger red light of the two) . If you leave it in the purge setting the fuel will just spill out of the tank. If you are not in the purge setting then the wiring is wrong and it will need to be rewired.

THIS WAS IT!!!!
Thanks so much, I taught the man how to turn it off. Won't happen again.

imagesinthewind · #10 02-19-2008, 04:49 PM

Ho, that could be it. The DH said he thought the switch would automatically shut itself back to middle. I didn't check that since I haven't really read over all the materials. That would be great if it were the problem.
Tom drove it last, it's HIS FAULT!!!!
Thanks!

sixto · #11 02-19-2008, 09:18 PM

How much WVO does a pizza joint generate?

Sixto
87 300D

imagesinthewind · #12 02-19-2008, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

How much WVO does a pizza joint generate?

Sixto
87 300D

We also do wings. We're actually famous in the area for our Cajun wings. It's a dry rubs spice that I can make mild so you can taste the chicken and the spice or just Cry For Your Momma Hot! Have milk on hand.

We have a fryer and do appetizers. We change oil on Mondays. In the summer we change twice a week for 11 gallons!

rs899 · #13 02-20-2008, 06:31 AM

Ginny-

So, when you use and collect your own home-made WVO from your place, what's in it other than oil and grease...anything?

I'm not trying to steal trade secrets or any proprietary information- I was just wondering about what "might" be in typical WVO...

Rick

imagesinthewind · #14 02-20-2008, 10:20 AM

Ah, no secrets here.
When I drain the fryer I do it through a cone filter to catch all the larger
pieces of 'stuff' that are in the oil.
Since I'm the only one who does the oil, I am sure there is no water in it.
I heat the oil to 350 in the fryer which is the temp we cook in, use stainless
steel pots to catch the oil and then let it sit to cool down to be put back into
the cubies (4.5 gallon jugs) that the oil comes to me in.
When it's time to use it, I filter it through a couple bed sheets over a 5 gallon bucket.
I do this cold to get anything smaller out that would clog a filter. A lot of things
go through filters when warm that can't when cold.
Then I pour that into my fuel tank, top with diesel and drive away.
I only do this in the summer. In the winter I make bio out of it. When I have time.
If no time then I add a gallon of virgin oil (Safeway brand) to each full tank at fill up with a 4 oz splash of diesel additive to prevent gelling.
If I use just diesel in the winter then I can expect to use 4-5 filters in the summer as the
junk from the diesel floats through the system while using WVO.
Having a bio fuel all year prevents gunk from settling at the bottom of the tank.

rs899 · #15 02-20-2008, 11:50 AM

If I had a raesonably safe, repeatable source like you do of the stuff, I would be using it in my VW and maybe one of the 240Ds ( I have spare engines) but for me its still not worth the time and risk. I collected 50 gal of the stuff last year but still haven't used it- I will eventually burn it up in the VW when it gets warmer. It's a pretty disgusting process, but if you control it all like you do (Ginny) I'm sure you get used to it. Biodiesel looks like to way to go but really looks too involved.